Grippe porcine / Swine flu - Nature biting back at industrial animal production?

[Al-khiyal]

Iran announces first swine flu death

TEHRAN, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- Iran announced Wednesday its first reported death from the swine flu-causing A/H1N1 virus. Mehr news agency quoted Dr. Ibrahim Khawaja of the Health Center in Hormozgan Province as saying that the first swine flu death involved a pregnant woman living on Qeshm Island. He said that it was not possible to save the life of her fetus, adding that there were four swine flu cases on the island.

[Al-khiyal]

Nine new swine flu cases reported in Kuwait

KUWAIT, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- Nine new swine flu cases were reported by the Health Ministry on Wednesday, including six citizens, bringing the total to 395, most whom were mild cases. Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Yousef Al-Nisf told KUNA that mild cases were now being treated at home, in line with recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), adding that most cases had recovered. The ministry has taken all necessary precautions to contain the virus, he said.

[Al-khiyal]

Saudi Health minister advises people with diseases to skip Hajj due to swine flu

TUNIS, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- People with diabetes and kidney, liver, and heart disorders as well as those suffering from obesity should skip Hajj for this year due to the swine flu pandemic, said here visiting Saudi Minister of Health Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rubi'a on Wednesday. Al-Rubi'a told the press here that people with disease should try and not attend Hajj this year, adding that those attending the Umrah and Hajj this year should take the necessary precautions to prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading. "Numbers of those who will attend Umrah rituals during the holy month of Ramadan are expected to be on the rise," said the Minister. However, he noted that the expected numbers of Hajj goers would decrease this year. Though the spread of swine flu was fast on the global level, the recovery rates were also as fast, stressed the Minister. He revealed that the number of swine flu cases in Saudi Arabia had reached 595, but indicated that 95 percent were recovering from the disease. The official called on people to abide by the resolutions of the Arab Council for Health Ministers which recommended that those over 65 or under 12 years of age should not attend Hajj or Umrah this year.

[Al-khiyal]

Bahrain reports six new swine cases

MANAMA, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- The Bahraini Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday six new swine cases bringing the total number of patients in the Gulf country to 148. The newly-discovered patients have been quarantined at the Ibrahim Khalil Kano health center, the ministry said in a statement, indicating that four of the persons infected with the H1N1 virus were identified as Bahrainis who have freshly returned from abroad. Ministry personnel have also contacted the persons who had been close to the patients and gave them some directions against the disease. Bahrain has reported 148 swine flu cases since May 2009.

[Al-khiyal]

Thirty-four new swine flu cases reported by health authorities in Kuwait

KUWAIT, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- Thirty-four new swine flu cases were confirmed by the health ministry on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases infected with the virus to 429. Earlier, the ministry's spokesman Dr. Yousef Al-Nisf told KUNA that most cases recovered and were back to normal life. The ministry is currently implementing in-house treatment for those patients with minimum symptoms and will continue to monitor developments on the disease, the spokesman added.

[Al-khiyal]

Argentina swine flu deaths double

August 5, 2009 -- Deaths from swine flu in Argentina have more than doubled to 337 in the past month, a rate which could see it soon overtake the United States as the worst affected country. Figures released today showed a dramatic surge in deaths from the 137 reported on 14 July, according to the health ministry, though authorities believe the epidemic has peaked and will ebb with the passing of the southern hemisphere's winter. Another 400 deaths are being studied as suspected cases of A(H1N1) swine-type flu.

"We have to say that given the epidemiological tendency it is very probable that the majority of those 400 deaths are from H1N1," said the deputy health minister, Maximo Diosque. Swine flu had almost completely replaced normal seasonal flu, he added. Of 762,711 cases more than 700,000 - 93% - were swine flu.

Argentina now accounts for about a quarter of the world's reported death toll. If most of the suspected cases are confirmed as A(H1N1) the South American nation will overtake the U.S., which currently has 353 confirmed deaths. Argentina's neighbours have reported much lower fatalities: Chile 96; Brasil 92; Uruguay 25; and Paraguay 22. Mexico, which first reported the outbreak, has registered 146 deaths.

Today's announcement was another setback for Argentina's faltering econonomy. Tourism revenues have reportedly halved, with restaurants, theatres, tango halls and Patagonian ski resorts unusually quiet. Buenos Aires alone has lost £600m, according to its small business association. Despite the death toll, authorities expressed optimism the worst was over. The epidemic spread so widely that by now there are now thought to be fewer vulnerable people left to infect. The numbers reporting flu symptoms have steadily dropped and beds have again become available in clinics and hospitals.

Restrictions introduced last month have been lifted. Schools, universities, cinemas, theatres and gymnasiums have re-opened and fewer people are wearing surgical masks. The Catholic church had urged worshippers to sit far apart and to avoid handshakes during mass. Doctors advised people to not greet each other with a kiss and to not share mate, a herbal drink traditionally drunk from a straw and passed between friends.

It was not immediately clear if the updated death toll would prompt renewed restrictions. The good news from Argentina is that its strain has not mutated and turned especially deadly. Genetic sequencing shows its swine flu remains virtually identical to the strain seen in Mexico and the U.S., boosting chances that a single vaccine can work everywhere. Medical experts have been relieved to see no signs of resistance to antiviral drugs even though the government distributed 2m courses of Tamiflu free to public hospitals. That suggests the drug will remain effective in northern hemisphere countries bracing for winter.

The British Foreign Office's travel advice, updated last month, does not urge Britons to stay away but warns that there is a risk of infection and financial cost. "Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive." Brazil's government has advised against travel to Argentina and Chile.

[Al-khiyal]

Egypt reports 16 new swine flu cases

CAIRO, August 5, 2009 (KUNA) -- Some 16 new swine flu cases have been detected in Egypt, taking the country's total number of patients up to 314 since the A(H1N1) virus outbreak here in June. The new cases are 12 Egyptians, including one arriving back from umrah (minor pilgrimage) from Saudi Arabia, three Saudis and a Vietnamese national, the Egyptian Ministry of Health said. Of the total figure, 219 cases have recovered, one died in July and the remaining 94 are receiving Tamiflu medication at hospital, it added.